Dental Hygienist Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $85,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $85,489/year (≈ $41.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $91,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Brookhaven, Georgia, offers a promising salary environment for dental hygienists amidst a cost of living index of 93.1, which is below the national average. With a projected median annual salary of $85,489 in 2026, local dental hygienists can expect compensation well below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a discrepancy of approximately 16.96%. The range of salaries is broad, with entry-level positions starting around $63,432 and experienced professionals earning up to $113,573. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional economic factors, indicating that while the nominal salaries might seem attractive, the local purchasing power is an essential aspect to consider when evaluating potential earnings in Brookhaven's job market.
About the Brookhaven Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($91,405) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,432 | $30.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,886 | $34.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,489 | $41.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,217 | $44.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,573 | $54.60 |
Median Salary Position
16.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, GA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,141 (2026 est.). At $85,489, the local median is 16.96% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookhaven Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brookhaven median: $85,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookhaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.96% less |
Dental Hygienists in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $85,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.96% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookhaven has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,895
2025 BLS Actual
$81,465
2026 Current Est.
$85,489
2020–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brookhaven (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,221 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,713 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 20.0% from $67,895 (2020) to $81,465 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,818 (32.13%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,432 – $70,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,886 – $85,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,489 – $92,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,217 – $113,573 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brookhaven
The dental hygienist job market in Brookhaven is relatively small, with only eight professionals currently employed in this field. The lower cost of living in the area means that take-home pay does not stretch as far as it might in higher-priced urban environments. Employers that typically offer the best compensation include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), such as Heartland and Aspen, which often provide additional incentives like sign-on bonuses. The variation in salary can largely be attributed to the differences in practice structure; for instance, solo practices may not offer benefits such as health insurance, whereas DSOs frequently provide comprehensive packages. Additionally, factors such as production-based bonuses and flexible work schedules can significantly influence income potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in Brookhaven, targeting DSOs or multi-doctor practices, considering additional certifications in periodontal care, and negotiating for favorable work conditions can enhance their financial outlook in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Brookhaven, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,465 for dental hygienistsin the Brookhaven metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookhaven is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov